“You’re not imagining things,” he confirmed arrogantly. “You never stood a chance against my swimmers. I knocked you up that first night, just like I said I did.”
“So damn cocky,” I sputtered.
“I’ve got more reason to be than I ever have before, with you carrying my baby.”
My left arm, the one not attached to the shoulder where I’d been shot, moved down and I rested my hand over his. “I’m really pregnant?” It was almost impossible to believe. I’d thought my entire life had changed when Alex told me I’d been burned, but it paled in comparison to this news.
The shit eating grin on his face was answer enough, but he gave me the words anyway. “You’re really pregnant.”
“And the baby’s okay?”
“The baby is fine. They did an internal sonogram and found the sac holding our baby exactly as it should be this early in the pregnancy.”
I heaved a deep sigh of relief, horrified at what we could have lost because of my actions. “I swear to you, I never would have done it if I thought I was pregnant. I saw the gun aimed your way, knew he was going to shoot, and didn’t even think of anything other than you dying right in front of me.”
“You couldn’t have known, Evie,” he reassured me. “The doctor even told me it was too early for us to have known.”
“I’ll do my best to make it up to our baby,” I promised. “I won’t take the job. I’ll stay home with him instead. Bake cookies. Help with homework. Whatever it is that stay-at-home moms do.”
“No, Evie,” he barked. “There’s been enough pretending in our marriage. No more. You’re going to do whatever makes you happy. If you decide it’s staying home after the baby is born, then I’ll support your decision one hundred percent. But I love you for who you are. All of you, Scarlett and Evie. You don’t need to change for me, and you don’t have anything to make up to our child.”
“I love you, too,” I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks as he carefully cradled me in his arms. “And I want to go home.”
“Not until you’re back to fighting form, baby.”
It took another three weeks before Alex agreed to take me home. Three long weeks of him watching me like a hawk. The doctors had given me the okay two weeks earlier, but Alex didn’t want to leave anything to chance. I had a simple linear fracture to my skull but was neurologically intact. The second they told him I would need medical attention if I became symptomatic, my hopes for going home flew out the window. That, combined with the gunshot wound to my shoulder and my pregnancy were enough ammunition for him to convince my medical team that they needed to keep me longer.
As the car Alex had hired pulled in front of the private jet which we’d take for our first leg home, I found my thoughts turning to how strange and wonderful the world could be. I’d played many roles in my life, some of them planned and others unexpected blessings or curses.
Genevieve Parker, beloved daughter.
Evie Parker, bereaved college student.
Scarlett, notorious assassin.
Evie Shaw, adored wife.
As I stepped onto the plane with my hand clenched tightly in Alex’s, I found myself filled with excitement for the most important role I’d ever fill—Mommy.
Epilogue
Alex
I hit the button to lower the garage door and stepped inside the kitchen.
“Evie, baby, I’m—”
Thunk. My briefcase hit the floor and my jacket soon joined it.
Holy fuck. Evie was standing at the counter in an apron that said Kiss the Cook, what looked like white lingerie on underneath, and fuck me heels. I was happy to oblige. I had a weird sense of déjà vu, but I was too focused on burying myself deep inside my wife’s hot little pussy to dwell on it.
My shoes were kicked off next and I began unbuttoning my shirt, letting it drop to the floor as I stalked toward my wife. Her blatant stare of appreciation hardened my already painfully erect cock. I swiftly unbuckled my belt, unbuttoned my pants, and lowered the zipper. I stopped about a foot away and raked my gaze over her luscious body. Ever since giving birth to our baby girl, Amelia, a year ago, Evie had gained the most delicious, womanly curves. Her body was my own personal wonderland and it was about to be thoroughly fucked.
“Welcome home, stud.”
I closed the gap between us, my body flush against hers as I untied the apron and let it drop to the floor. I filled my hands with her perfect tits and took her mouth in a deep kiss. Pulling back a fraction, my eyes darted around, “Emmy?” I asked.
“With Martin and Kelly,” she panted.
Growling with desire, I lifted Evie and placed her on the kitchen counter, before dropping to my knees. I brought my nose to her pussy and inhaled. She smelled so fucking good, sweeter than ever. There was something familiar, something that wasn’t always in her scent and it had my body humming with desire.
She moaned and I moved a finger to pull her panties aside, when I noticed an opening down the middle. Crotchless panties? Fuck, yeah. I had the perfect wife, I thought, before leaning in and running the tip of my tongue through the slit, flavor filling my senses. Evie shivered, and I grunted in satisfaction. Licking again, I noticed once more, something was different and yet familiar.
Impatient to have her fully in my mouth, I used two fingers to split open the fabric, ripping it wide so I had complete access to her pussy. She squeaked in surprise but the shudder that rolled through her, and the glistening of her pussy lips, betrayed how hot she thought it was.
“Look at you, baby. Always so ready, so wet for me.”
I dragged the flat of my tongue up her sex, circling her clit before sucking it into my mouth. She came with a rush of liquid which I greedily drank every drop of. Evie had always been incredibly responsive to me, but for her to blow apart so quickly and easily was unusual.
Standing, I took out my cock, then grabbed her hips and yanked her to the edge of the granite slab. I kissed her hard as I plunged inside, sheathing myself completely. I groaned at the exquisite pleasure as she cried out. My hips began to pump wildly, my grip on her tight, my tongue mimicking the movement, fucking her mouth.
Each powerful thrust had her screams escalating and my cock growing impossibly bigger. Tearing my lips from hers, I dragged down the cups of her bustier and wrapped them around one pointed nipple, biting down lightly and to my shock, Evie exploded into another earth shattering orgasm. It took everything I had not to go with her, fighting the way her pussy was milking my cock. “Fuck, baby. You’re so sensitive tonight.” She moaned in response. I continued to play with her nipples, enjoying the way her body lit up with yearning and the beautiful blush spreading over her skin.
I licked my lips, her essence still lingering. “I swear, you taste different, baby. It’s so fucking delicious. Have you been raiding the cookie jar with Emmy?”
She reached down and grabbed my ass, pulling me even closer so my cock was bottoming out with every drive inside her.
“I didn’t do anything,” she breathed. “You knocked me up again, stud.”
I stilled, earning a mewling of protest and her hands clenching my ass, her nails digging in.
Suddenly, it hit me. We’d been here before. Two years ago, Evie had met me at the door, just like this and told me she was ready to have a baby. This time, she was already pregnant. With my baby. Color burst into my vision, the world turning hazy with the coating of happiness.
I shouted with excitement and held Evie tight as I twirled her around. The movement shifted my angle and I buried myself even deeper. We both groaned, and I swiftly walked to the nearest bare wall, supporting her up against it, pulling out and slamming back inside. No wonder she was so fucking sensitive. I pounded into her, my elation fueling my energy.
“That’s it, baby. Let me hear you scream. There’s nobody but me here and I’ve missed the sound of it,” I growled. “Your pussy is so tight, fuck! Squeeze me hard, Evie. Clench that pussy around me—oh, fuck! Just like that!”
>
“Alex! Oh, Yes! Yes!” she screamed, and her body began to convulse with another powerful orgasm.
“Seeing you come is the sexiest thing, baby.” One, two more thrusts and I let go, coming so hard I felt the world tilt. I poured out my come inside her and rode us both through our orgasms with shallow thrusts, determined to drag them out as long as possible.
As the world righted itself, I lazily licked her nipples, then her shoulder, before brushing my tongue along the seam of her lips. Our mouths danced with each other to the gorgeous music only we could create together.
“I love you,” I murmured against her lips.
I pulled back and felt warm all over at the happy glow in her chocolate brown eyes. Her bee-stung lips curled up in a blinding smile.
“I love you too, stud. Now, take me to bed or lose me forever!”
I grinned, “Seriously, babe? I’m way more a Maverick than a Goose.”
Evie rolled her eyes and then swiveled her hips, then leaned in close. “Okay. How about this? Take me to bed, stud, and fuck the hell out of me.”
I wasted no time heading for the bedroom, but only ended up making it halfway down the hall, falling into a burning heap and fucking wildly on the floor.
She wrapped herself around me as I got up, my cock still half hard and snug inside her channel. We finally made it to the bedroom, where I spent the night worshipping her body from head to toe. She was so damn beautiful. My every dream come true, even the ones I didn’t know were lurking in my heart.
She was my light, my life, my everything, my Evie.
“If I weren’t already pregnant, I do believe we would have accomplished the task tonight,” she giggled breathlessly.
I rolled onto my back, bringing her with me and settling her astride, with her head tucked under my chin. I trailed my fingers in circles over her back, my mood thoughtful and quiet.
We’d both settled into our new jobs pretty smoothly. Scarlett was the best instructor they’d had for decades. Her recruits scored incredibly high in both cognitive and weapons training. I ran ops from D.C. most of the time, but I’d had to go into the field a few times. Evie hadn’t liked it, but she’d supported me every single time. She was amazing.
Then our little Amelia had come along and she was the best of both of us. A little spitfire, smart as a whip, and she had her daddy securely wrapped around her cute little finger. I fucking loved that kid. She and her mom were both sides of my heart. And now, I’d be sharing it with three and I couldn’t fucking wait. Maybe it was from growing up without a family, but I wanted a home full of kids, laughter, and utter chaos. Lucky for me, family was every bit as important to Evie and she had happily informed me that she had the same visions for the future.
“Hey,” she called softly. “What’s on your mind?”
“You,” I answered. “I love you, my Evie. Until death do we part. And forever after.”
For You, I Will
Isaac Harvey fell hard for his young client, Eden, the moment he met her. After helping her out of a jam that could have landed her behind bars, he wasted no time putting his ring on her finger.
Eden gave up hacking—mostly—for the title of wife and mother. After a year of negative pregnancy tests, she’s starting to become restless. But when Isaac takes on high-profile murder case, Eden dusts off her keyboard and dives in, ready to help.
What she uncovers is a conspiracy that is about more than just murder. With danger swirling around them, Eden and Isaac are forced to fight for their lives—and they discover there is nothing they wouldn’t do to protect their love.
Prologue
Isaac
“Your next client is here, Mr. Harvey.”
I reached over and pressed the intercom button on my phone. “Thanks, Lianne. Send them in.”
My appointment was with a potential new client and I was hoping to convince him to put Harvey Croix on retainer. My firm was only a few years old and we could use the influx of money, as well as the reputation bump from having such a prestigious name on our client list.
My partner, Jax Croix, had dealt with him at his old firm before we struck out on our own and he was known for being honest and straightforward. I was determined to do just about anything to get his business.
The door to my office opened and I stood, stepping around my desk to greet Victor Kent. He was a distinguished-looking, older man who had clearly aged well. His hair was almost black but for the streaks of silver at his temples. It was my job to know as much as possible about the people we worked with and I’d done my research on him.
From what I’d learned, he’d been married in his early twenties, having one daughter from the relationship. But, it didn’t last long and he’d remained a bachelor until his late forties when he’d met and married a woman twenty years his junior and immediately had another daughter.
In between marriages, he’d started a new company and over the years he’d built it into one of the most successful investment firms in Baltimore.
I held out my hand and he shook it in a firm handshake. “Mr. Kent, how can I help you?” I asked as I returned to my seat.
His blue eyes studied me, like he was taking my measure. I felt the urge to squirm in my seat under his scrutiny, but I managed to tap into my confidence and sit still.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush, Mr. Harvey,” he began. “I’m considering bringing my business to your firm. I like the prospect of new blood and perspective.”
I tamped down the bubbling excitement inside and nodded, holding his steady gaze.
“However, I’m not ready to commit just yet. I’d like to give it a trial run.” To my complete shock, his unruffled façade cracked and he glanced away, shifting uncomfortably. “I have a . . . delicate situation that needs special handling.”
I raised a brow, but didn’t otherwise react. A suspicion was forming, that he had come to us because whatever this case was, he didn’t want it dealt with within his normal circle of associates.
“It’s personal and it needs to be settled quickly and quietly.” He was back to staring me down. “Are you the man for the job?”
“Of course, Mr. Kent,” I answered assuredly. “Why don’t you have all of the pertinent information faxed to my office this afternoon and we’ll set up another appointment after I’ve had a chance to familiarize myself with the case.”
He frowned and shook his head. “I want as little paper trail as possible and no more people than necessary on the team.”
I’d been curious, but now I felt like a fucking school girl waiting for the latest bit of juicy gossip. What the hell was he into?
Mr. Kent had been leaning back in his chair, legs crossed at the knee, but he slowly unfolded himself and stood. He dipped his hands into his pockets and began to pace the floor.
“My youngest daughter, Eden, has gotten herself into a spot of trouble.”
That one statement brought an immense amount of clarity to the situation. It was fairly well known that Mr. Kent doted on his daughters, particularly his youngest. I wondered what kind of trouble she could have gotten into that warranted my involvement. I didn’t know her exact age, just that she was much younger than her sister and, considering the age of her mother, I assumed she was probably a senior in high school, or there about. Surely, she hadn’t been caught shoplifting or vandalizing her high school or something similar. Those kind of situations were easy enough to sweep under the rug and didn’t require the skills of a seasoned, and expensive, lawyer.
Mr. Kent stopped pacing abruptly and returned to his seat, adopting the same posture as before. It seemed as though he was trying to remain calm, but the tense set of his mouth and shoulders gave away his agitation. “Eden is extremely intelligent. She was accepted into MIT when she was a sophomore in high school.” His face lit up as he extolled upon his daughter’s virtues. “Her mother and I didn’t like the idea of her being on her own so young and decided to keep her home for her remaining school years”—he grimaced—
“A choice we have since regretted. It quickly became clear that we had basically clipped her wings. High school was too easy and she had no real outlet for her brilliance.”
I listened quietly, giving no outward reaction while inside I was cringing.
Great, another spoiled, entitled brat who needs Daddy’s lawyers to bail her out.
“Eden is so full of life and has so much heart. I suppose we should have seen it coming, but we didn’t find out until it was too late.”
Color me intrigued.
Mr. Kent sighed. “The FBI showed up at our home two days ago.”
Well shit.
“It seemed Eden had gone on a crusade, of sorts. She was picking through the financials of companies rumored to be corrupt and if she found evidence of it, she was siphoning money from their accounts into local charities. She also got involved with the local politics and rigged the elections so the more honest politicians won, ensuring stricter crack downs on these companies in the future.” His tone was rueful, but I didn’t miss the hint of pride.
I wanted to laugh at the whole situation because honestly, it was like something out of a movie. Apparently, this kid considered herself some sort of virtual Robin Hood. Maybe she wasn’t the self-indulgent, rich kid I’d pegged her as.
Grabbing a legal pad, I started to take notes as Mr. Kent laid out all of the particulars. After he finished, he scrubbed his face with his hands and then looked at me with expectation and it was clear that he was waiting for me to speak. I inherently knew, my next words were going to make or break his confidence in Harvey Croix.
“There is a deal to be had, Mr. Kent. The FBI isn’t interested in Eden’s crime, I promise you. They want to exploit her. In fact, my guess is that they already offered her the opportunity to have all of this go away if she agreed to work for them, help them take down these dirty companies. Am I right?”
The Passion & Vows Series Page 13